FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KRON) – Geese are once again top of mind in Foster City. On Monday, the city council discussed a potential plan to protect the public’s health and the lagoon areas.
One thing is clear. Foster City leaders say they need to do something about Canada geese taking over their city — especially the lagoon areas. But they don’t want to kill the birds, instead, the city council asked Wildlife Innovations to create an environmental review to deal with the geese population.
Canada geese and their droppings are the culprits of increased e. Coli levels in Foster City’s lagoon, making it unsafe for people to enjoy the city’s beautiful waterways.
This coming February, officials say they will start to test out habitat modifications to minimize the number of geese in the area. Councilmember Sam Hindi suggested one hazing technique called “goose egg addling” which would remove the fertilization of eggs. He also called on residents to help.
“Members of the public are really interested in being part of that solution of what we’re trying to do,” Hindi said.
Trisha Mok, a Foster City resident, didn’t attend Monday night’s meeting, but she says it’s almost dangerous taking her kids to the parks.
“The water is quite disgusting with all the poop. Even the fields the geese will be on at all hours,” she said.
Wildlife Innovations suggests the city implements visual deterrents at their park like balloons in trees and mylar strips, which are metal reflectant tape. They also say this is a regional conversation and not just a Foster City issue.
“If more of those entities say ‘Oh look, what Foster City is doing is great, we also have a problem.’ They either are going to complain to those agency folks and pursue their own plan,” a Wildlife Innovations spokesperson said.
From 2015 to 2023, the city has already spent a little over $139,000 to help mitigate its geese problem.
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